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Special counsel appointment gets bipartisan praise

Lawmakers are quickly backing the decision to name former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a special counsel for the probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The administration was under growing pressure to name a special counsel in the wake of President Trump's decision to fire James Comey, with Democrats increasingly demanding the move over the last week.

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A growing number of House Republicans have backed the issue amid allegations that Trump tried to quash a probe into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Though most GOP senators had held off from backing a special counsel, a growing number are quickly endorsing the move as a path forward on investigating Russia's election interference.

Three GOP senators on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is conducting its own probe into the 2016 election, cast Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's decision as a step in the right direction.

"He has sterling credentials and is above reproach. Because of his experience leading the FBI for more than a decade, Mr. Mueller has established relationships with FBI agents and will be able to move forward quickly. He is well respected on both sides of the aisle and will inspire public confidence in the investigation," Collins added in a statement.

Collins was expected to ask Rosenstein about a special counsel during a closed-door briefing with senators scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) called it "initially" positive, while Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), who is not on the Intelligence Committee, said at a Washington Post Live event that Mueller "is a guy whose career is unimpeachable."

"The FBI’s handling of recent politically charged investigations has eroded the public’s trust in its ability to be independent. I have a great deal of confidence Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein and I respect his decision. Mueller has a strong reputation for independence, and comes with the right credentials for this job," he said.

Grassley, who oversees the Judiciary Committee, didn't address what would happen to his committee's probe of the 2016 election in the wake of the decision but added, "Congress will have a role to play in bringing transparency to the American people."

"The important ongoing bipartisan investigation in the House will also continue," he added.

Wednesday's announcement is the third announcement in as many days that has appeared to catch lawmakers by surprise. Democrats and some Republicans were expected to raise a special counsel with Rosenstein during Thursday's meeting.

Many congressional Republicans are remaining silent in the immediate wake of the news. Other GOP lawmakers also had more tempered comments.

"[It's] a very solid and significant step," Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told CNN shortly after the announcement. "I think it sounds a resounding signal that the Department of Justice is going to be the Department of Justice."

Many of Blumenthal's colleagues quickly weighed in Twitter.

Naming a special counsel to investigate Russian interference in our election was absolutely necessary & Mueller is a very strong choice

Despite the announcement, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she still wants an independent commission.

“A special prosecutor is the first step, but it cannot be the last. Director Mueller will still be in the chain of command under the Trump-appointed leadership of the Justice Department. ... A special prosecutor does not negate the need for vigorous Congressional investigations either," she said in a statement.